CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Nov. 12, 2024, will mark 36 years since Brandy Dawn Hutchins was found dead in an abandoned house in Johnson County.
Brandy thought she was having a party thrown for her birthday, however that party is believed to have never happened. Despite the three and a half decades passed, her cousin Julie Millard still continues to remember and honor her.
"Brandy was so young, and I felt like I had a baby doll, you know, and so I was always really protective of her, and felt like I needed to take care of her," Millard said.
When Brandy was killed, Millard was just 23 years old with two small children, so she couldn't help as much as she wanted. But over the last few years she has been able to take action.
"I wasn't in a position where I could really do anything, you know, as far as advocating for her. But once my children got grown and moved out, I got to thinking about it more. I decided that somebody needed to do something, and so that's where I'm at now," Millard said.
Millard added she does it because it's what her cousin deserves.
"She deserves justice. We deserve answers. You know, she didn't have the best life to start with, and I think this is the least we could do for her."
While her case is still unsolved, there has always been one man who is believed to have done it.
"Every detective and every officer I've ever spoken with, sheriff, detective, all say the same thing. They say that her boyfriend at the time is the one that killed her," Millard said.
After 36 years it's hard to prove, but Millard won't give up despite her claims that local law enforcement might want her too.
"They wish that I would just go away and hush and not say anything," Millard said, and the community around her has come through to support her.
"I really think it's important to show up for families and let them know that they're not alone and that we're all here with them, you know, in this fight, and also, I've become close to Julie, and I just really wanted to come support her in ways that go beyond podcasting," said Haley Gray, a criminal research podcaster.
"It's very important for Miss Julie. It's very important for Brandy as well, because right now, Brandy has been gone for so long, and she needs everyone to be a voice for her today," added Ashley Hilliker, a local supporter.
5NEWS spoke to Johnson County Lieutenant Jennifer Payne who is in charge of the criminal investigation division. She said that they have not given up on this case and continue to work to find answers.
For more information on this case click here.
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